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(2) Number of separate tenements or under
ground rooms in respect of which Closing
Orders were determined, the tenement or room
having been rendered fit Nil
(b) Housing Act, 1936
Unfit Houses
One Demolition Order was made during the year.
General
The following is supplied by Mr. J. E. West, your Council's
Housing Manager :—
" Some progress was made during the year but only after
meeting very many difficulties largely affecting problems of labour
and material.
" The provision of prefabricated bungalows did, however,
achieve some progress as will be seen from the schedule appearing
hereunder, but progress on the Countess Road site, where 414
flats are being erected, was not up to the standard anticipated.
Practically 90 per cent, of applications received affected young
married couples and families comprising from one to three
children.
" There was little assistance forthcoming in acquiring
additional properties by exercising requisitioning powers as very
few properties came into the market which were suitable for
requisitioning. A property under the ownership of the Council
at ' Clock House ' was adapted for the accommodation of those
who are ' not so young.' Towards the end of the year the old
people's flats on the Priory Court Estate were practically complete,
and nothing but praise has been heard with regard to this
type of accommodation which has, undoubtedly, not only given
relief to the residents but to their immediate families who were,
in very many instances, concerned as to the mode of living of
their parents in the eventide of life. It has been one of the very
few pleasant tasks of the Housing Department to receive the
thanks and appreciation of what has been done for their welfare.
"The report of progress up to 31st December, 1947, is as
follows: —
Prefabricated bungalows occupied 466
Housing applications received 11,491
Housing applications on the 'live register' 9,553
Personal interviews 11,407
Families rehoused 400